We Care Because We PrayFourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

January 28, 2018

It was at Tagaytay, an early evening in October of 2007, and one day before the close of my Centering Prayer Retreat. It had been a perfect afternoon -- with that rainbow over the lake after a rainshower, and the sun slowly descending and casting such a rosy glow into the valley and foothills through the haze of twilight -- that I told myself to take full advantage of the lovely convent gardens and the peaceful scene around me. I started to pray “Lord, please give me the grace to be quiet, to listen to Your voice in my heart.” and so I sat alone to be still and to listen to Him.

Two of my many blessings are clarity of mind and the ability to “shut off” completely and concentrate when I’m praying -- whether it’s at Mass, at a Prayer Meeting, in the sanctuary of my bedroom or elsewhere -- it does not vary. Similarly, whether it be meditating, reflecting, petitioning, imagining and sometimes, wishing -- my focus does not waver -- and especially when I see Him in my mind’s eye as I was then beginning to do so.

So in that never-to-be-forgotten evening, in the privacy of the nuns’ gazebo, and after about an hour of Lectio Divina, followed with thanksgiving for all my blessings, I slowly became aware that I was not alone anymore; and with the compelling and complete certainty I realized that although He was invisible, the Lord was, nevertheless, right there with me.

I didn’t hesitate, started pouring out everything to Him --

my immediate and long-term plans, reflections from the Retreat, my home life, my Catechism classes at CCD, my prayers and hopes for my children and their spouses, prayers for my relatives and friends, my innermost fears and doubts, my total faith and trust in Him and most of all, my petition for a grandchild. And as sometimes happens, the tears came -- but they were tears of joy and thanksgiving, of nostalgia and of hope.

My most vivid and sustaining memory though from that evening were the soothing and profound feelings of a quiet happiness, and of the blanket of peace and contentment that warmly embraced me -- like nothing would ever upset me again. And in that loving cocoon, I felt His Presence so strongly and knew without any doubt whatsoever of His infinite Love for me as mine is for Him and because of this Love, He would give me a grandchild.

Back home and the routine of everyday life continued -- at home, my classes at CCD and my weekly sessions with my Centering Prayer group. Then just as sure as the sun rises and sets, and in His own time, my grandson was born at Makati Med in November 2008. I had prayed and waited for him for almost fifteen years and there we were, almost exactly a year to the day of my Encounter with my Heavenly Father on that ridge in Tagaytay. I now have two grandsons, still attend my weekly Centering Prayer meetings and still serve the Lord and SSAP through my work at CCD. My cup runneth over.

That Heavenly Moment of My Encounter… Which Changed My Life Forever…

by Nancy Gonewai

Santuario de San Antonio Parish • Forbes Park, Makati City • Tel. nos.: 843-8830 / 31 • www.ssaparish.com

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LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO GOD

When I was asked to write about the topic “Listening and Responding to God”, I immediately thought of Lectio Divina. The practice of Centering Prayer twice a day for 2 decades has led me to encounter God, through Scriptures. Centering Prayer quiets me down and in the silence, I am more receptive to God’s words in the Gospel. There is usually a word or a sentence that attracts my attention -- this is Lectio Divina.

I ponder on the word or phrase and listen to what God is telling me in the context of my life at the moment. If I

allow the word or a phrase to speak to me, God always has a message for me. Many times it is in silence, the language of God, when I am directed to do something very often quite difficult, but always the more loving thing to do.

Obedience is the key to the growth of my spiritual life. It is only when I obey and take action on the word of God, is there fulfillment. Otherwise it is only good intentions, nothing more. Only when I truly listen, can I respond. Being able to respond is a grace from God, Who, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, brings me to action.

TASTE Of SILENcE

Listening and Responding to Godby Bobby Novenario

God also uses people and events to convey His message. In conversations with friends, business associates or workers there will be lessons learned or explanations I need to hear. I believe they come from God. in the events in my life, like a long illness, losing a loved one, disappointments and happy occasions, God speaks to me. For my response, I try to bring God’s goodness and love to others. A deep spiritual life makes me sensitive to the needs of others and I try to respond.

The Gospel of God is all about love. If one is firmly rooted in prayer, there is no other response but to love. It is expressed in forgiveness or an act of Charity. We can only be sensitive about the needs of others if we have love. Love is the fruit of Prayer.

Bobby Novenario is a member of the Knights of Malta. He is an Extraordinary Minister and is active in the Parish Council. He is also a member of Contemplative Outreach Philippines.

Contemplative Outreach Philippines Santuario de San Antonio Support Group meets Every Monday 10am -12 nn at the St. Elizabeth Room to practice Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina.

Visit us at: http://www.cophil.org

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Santuario de San Antonio Pastoral TeamFr. Baltazar A. Obico, OFM - GuardianFr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM - Vicar Provincial, Parish PriestFr. Judee Mar Maquinad, OFM - BursarFr. Jesus E. Galindo, OFM - MemberFr. Efren C. Jimenez, OFM - Member

RDIP - PB Editorial Team & General InformationMarie Tycangco - Head, RDIP-PB/Editor-in-ChiefJavier Luis Gomez - Asst. Editor/WriterRamon M. Ong - Asst. EditorDennis Montecillo - Asst. Editor/WriterClarisse Gomez - Asst. Editor/WriterErvin Co - Asst. Editor/WriterPisha Banaag - Asst. Editor/WriterPeachy Maramba - ContributorLianne Tiu - ContributorConchitina Bernardo - ContributorJeannie Bitanga - Website AdministratorAlexa Montinola - Asst. Website AdministratorEdward Lu - Art & DesignColorplus Production Group Corp. - Production

Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center OfficeTel. nos. 843-8830 / 31Email: ssap_info@yahoo.comWebsite: www.ssaparish.comWebsite email: webi@ssaparish.com

Parish Pastoral Council Jun Rodriguez – PresidentGirlie Sison – Vice PresidentMarie Tycangco – Secretary

LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO GOD

LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO GODThe world today has lost its sense of hearing God. We have lost touch with God because we have failed to listen to Him so there has become what Pope Pius XII termed an “Eclipse of God” in our life.

This is because we have become not just a selfie generation, but more tragically a selfish generation where we only think of “me…me…me.”

Because God has today been replaced by the “self” which has made itself so firmly at home in the world, we find ourselves mired in all kinds of problems.

STOP, LOOK, LISTENWhat does it mean to listen to Christ?

There are times in our life when we fail to recognize God’s presence in

our lives because we fail to hear God’s voice speaking to us. We fail to hear God’s voice asking us, “Do you have ears but do not hear?”

The good news is that God patiently waits and does everything to get our attention. He also doesn’t give up in helping us get through the day.

GOD’S cALLGod’s call to us, to put if briefly, is a CALL to LOVE. If you really think about it, all our problems in life are tied up to LOVE. Most of the time, it’s because of lack of love or no love at all – not only of God, but also of others and even of ourselves.

Love is a dialogue. Like a conversation, God talks to us. We listen and hopefully respond. God Loves us. But, as Pope John Paul II says, “no one can receive this love unresponsively. God does not

RANDOm ThOuGhTS

Voices from yesterday and today…. by Peachy maramba

ask that man should match this love. But God wants man to try to reply to this love, try to respond to the utmost of his human ability.”

When our response goes up, blessings come down.

OuR RESPONSESo let’s listen to God’s call and do something – LOVE!!! Will you choose to stop, look and listen to God today?

OuR PRAYER

Dear Lord,You have called, You have cried out

Pierce my deafnessIn my weakness, let me hear You

and respond with LOVE for You, my brother and all.

Please show us how to love You with our hearts

and our neighbor as ourselvesMake us listen, know, love and

serve You in this life.

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A Woman with A Brilliant Mind and A Big Heart An Interview with Petrona Paula Bucad Limby Jun Rodriguez, Girlie Sison and Marie Tycangco

Her roots stem from Ilagan, Isabela. She is the eldest of 5 children. She excelled in academics – was valedictorian in Grade School and High School and graduated cum laude with a degree in Nursing at UST. She was a scholar at Syracuse University in New York, where she acquired her Masters Degree in Nursing. She also took further studies at University of California, Berkeley.

Tita Pet strongly believes that education is one of the greatest assets one could ever have. “No matter how rich you are… it’s useless if your head is empty.” she says.

One day, while she was visiting her hometown in Isabela, she saw a group of students studying under the trees and when she visited a public school, students were having their lessons along the staircase. These moved her to donate elementary schools in Isabela… not just one, not two, but forty elementary schools! That’s at least one school in every town!

“Charity begins at home” as Tita Pet would say. Even at the age of 90, she continues to go to work and oversee her employees. But more than just taking care of those who work for her, she takes care of their children as well. She motivates her employees to send their children through high school with the promise that she will take care of their college education. To date, Tita Pet’s generosity has already benefited 50 scholars.

Petrona Lim, or Tita Pet as we fondly call her, is truly heaven-sent. We all looked forward to having breakfast with her, knowing that she has contributed so much to our Parish through the years. Little did we know that her helping hands went way beyond Forbes Park.

Tita Pet Lim with PPC President, Jun Rodriguez

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To Tita Pet, SSAP has been ‘home’. She grew up in this community and has been active ever since. She attended the Parish Renewal in 1983 and became a member of the Order of Franciscan Secular (OFS) in 1993. She joined the Silver Society in 1996. In 2000, Tita Pet became a member of the Fundraisers Committee for the installation of air conditioners in the Parish. She became the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) President from 2002-2003. Her most significant project during her term was the construction of the Adoration Chapel, which is a replica of the Porziuncola Chapel located in Assisi, Italy. After her term, she became the President of the Santuario de San Antonio (SSAP) Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees of Fratres Minores Foundation, Inc. of the Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista. She continues to serve actively in these positions.

She was also the President of the Serra Club in the Philippines, whose mission is to promote priestly and religious vocations. In 2009, she donated for the construction of the outdoor Stations of the Cross, which until today serve as our constant reminder of Christ’s passion and death. She was also a major donor in the purchase of the property and the construction of the Poggio Bustone Franciscan Renewal Center in Botolan, Zambales, which is now used as a regular venue for recollections, renewals and retreats. She

has also chaired in all major celebrations of the Parish such as the Fiesta, Francisfest and the 60th Jubilee Anniversary of SSAP.

As we praised and thanked Tita Pet for all her contributions and congratulated her for all her achievements, she humbly tells us: “If God gives us… We have to give it away. We are just stewards. We do not own anything.” “We should pay it forward” and “Give without asking anything in return.” she says. She is definitely an exemplar of a true Christian and her story is one for the books.

The breakfast meeting we all looked forward to was definitely a morning to remember. It activated our minds, tickled our hearts, and inspired us to serve with utmost humility. From the SSAP community, our heartfelt thanks to you, Tita Pet! We will forever be grateful for your presence.

Happy 90th Birthday! May the Lord continue to bless you with good health, joy and peace. We love you!

Pet Lim with Social Services Ministry Head, Marrot Moreno

2003 PPC President, Jaime Blanco, Fr. Greg Redoblado and Fr. Joel Sulse awarding plaque to Petrona Lim

PPC 2018

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LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO GOD

Jesus christ in the Blessed Sacramentby margot c. Perez

“My Lord Jesus Christ, Who because of Your love for men remain night and day in the Blessed Sacrament, full of pity and of love, awaiting, calling and welcoming all who come to visit You. I adore You and thank You for all the graces You have bestowed on me, for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament.” - St. Alphonsus Liguori

Back in my school days, the nuns would encourage us to visit Jesus in the chapel. Eucharistic Adoration is a sign of devotion to and worship of Jesus Christ Who is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under the appearance of the consecrated host.

Situated near Our Lady of Lourdes grotto fronting the parking area, the Adoration Chapel beckons one and all. Leave your shoes outside the door, kneel and bow before the Blessed Sacrament for you have entered God’s Holy Place.

my New Daily habitby monica madrigal

Normally, I attend weekday Masses twice a week. It could definitely be more frequent than that. It could be a daily habit even, especially since I have the luxury of a flexible work schedule. Yet, I often decide that other things are more important or I simply let my laziness get in the way of attending Mass. This is something that I would like to change and it is actually my New Year’s resolution to make the daily Mass a daily habit. I would like to share with you why this resolution is of great importance to me.

Every single day, my mind is buzzing, full of thoughts of both work and personal concerns that demand my attention. For me, the daily Mass is 30 minutes of peace; it is 30 minutes of considering something or someone beyond myself. It is my daily one-on-one time with God. This time spent with Him is infinitely precious to me because of three reasons. Firstly, it is when I say my prayers of thanksgiving to Him because truly there is so much for which to be thankful. Secondly, it is when I offer prayers for those who are in need of these. Thirdly and most importantly, it is during Mass that I am able to listen to His word and receive His body and blood. To be able to do so every day is such an amazing and precious gift.

These 30 minutes are a mere fraction of my day, yet I gain so much from it. Attending daily Mass gives me consolation, peace, deep happiness and a spiritual strength which allows me to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

“One day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3

Visiting the Adoration Chapel is an invitation to spend quiet time with Jesus, to feel His Presence, to listen to Him with your heart, to talk to Him. You can tell Jesus anything and everything, lift your supplications. In the stillness of the little room, say your prayers of praise and thanksgiving, your remorse for your human frailties. When you leave the chapel, you have a feeling of peace since you have left all your burdens with Him, for Him to decide what to do with them.

Jesus is WAITING for us to visit Him.

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